Malcolm's continues to crumble

Freda Savana @fredasavana

Thursday

Mar 27, 2014 at 12:01 AMMar 27, 2014 at 4:00 PM

The years have not been kind to Malcolm’s Gas Station and Auto Repair Shop, a Warrington business that closed in 2003.

Over the past 11 years, the abandoned Route 611 property has continued to fall into disrepair. Although the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection stepped in to remove leaking storage tanks, a 2008 auction had no bidders. The current asking price is reportedly close to $1 million.

After years of litigation, where the township has sought everything from having the site fenced in, to having the building demolished, the 2-acre site continues to be both an eyesore and a thorn in the township’s side, said Warrington’s solicitor, William Casey.

“It’s a disgrace,” said the attorney. “(The property owners) don’t give a damn about Warrington. I think it’s really unfair.”

The abandoned property is co-owned by Margaret Powell, 92, and her son, Malcolm Powell. The newspaper was unsuccessful in contacting Margaret Powell’s attorney, Charles A. Weiss, for comment.

According to Casey, the township recently gained approval to enter the fenced-off site and have its engineers determine the cost of demolition.

The township offered to pay for the $50,000 to $75,000 razing and put a tax lien on the property. Warrington then would recoup the money when the property sold.

That offer was rejected, said Casey. It’s the owners’ intention to have the buyer pay the tab for tearing down the decaying building, he said.

The engineers, Casey added, found pizza boxes inside, indicating people are getting into the building.

The matter isn’t likely to be resolved anytime soon. Casey said this week Weiss is challenging some 66 points in the latest round of the long legal battle.